Switch



lm L', w24 www@ 6. CHRISTENSENV swITcH FiiedNov. 1o, 1919 v 7 sheets-sheet 2 f5 v f5l Jn., 1f, @4i nmsgzg@ C. CH RISTENSEN SWITCH l -Filed Nov. v10, 1919 7 Sheets-Sheet C. iCHRlSTENSEN SWITCH Filed NOV. lO,` 1919 y 7 Shee'ts-Sheet 4 lam, l

C. CHRISTENSEN SWITCH VFiled Nov 1Q, 1919 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented dan. lil i924.,

entre" stares Maaat- FATENT @FFECQ CERISTENCHRISTENSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELECTRICAL EN- GINEERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF ILLINOIS.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF SWITCH.

Application tiled November 10, 1919. SeralNo. 336,331.

. the following is a full, clear,concise, and

exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

-My invention relates to switches and al- 'tho particularly concerned with disconnect- Vas this descriptionl proceeds, that certainl ing switches of the type including one or more movable switch elements and a rotat' able operating element thru which the switch is Aopened and closed, it will be apparent,

novel features of theinventionv are equally applicable in connection with switches of other types.

While switches ofthe above general description are particularly `adapted for remote control, in which case the switch is mounted upon a tower, pole orv the like and the rotatable operating element is actuated from a distance as by an arrangement of rods and levers extending to a suitable operating handle in convenient position at the foot of the tower or other supporting structure, they are, as will be hereinafter made apparent, by no means limited to such use or purposeonly. Heretofore, in associating a single rotat able operating element with two or more independent switch units, particularly when high or relatively high tension current has been involved, the failure of the insulation between the various independent switch units has been a source of considerablediiliculty. 'AA further practical difficulty has been the danger of accidental contact to which the operator has been subjected. Furthermore, where considerable current must be carried, and particularly where relatively high tension current is involved, the matter of providing a quick, positive opening switch has presented a diiicult practical problem.

One feature of the present invention is the provision of a novel switch operating element whichl will afford positive insurance against accidental contact to which the operator heretofore has been subjected and which will, when associated with two or more independent switch units, insure eii'ective insulation between the various units.

A further feature of my invention is the provision of a switch of the above general type 4of lsimple and rugged construction wherein the opening of the switch will be quick and positive.

Various other advantages of my invention and novel structural details will appear from the following detailed description, and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational L.viewof'a'- switch embodying the features of my 1nl vention;

i Figure 2 isa side elevational view of'tne same;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal elevation partly in section, of the rotatable switch operating element;

Figure Ltis a front elevational view of a modification Figure 5 is a slde elevational view of the same;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a further modification;

Figure 7 is a rear elevational view of the same with the rear closure plate broken away; and

Figure 8 is a detail section taken substantially on the line 8 8 of Figure 7,

showing the interconnection between the rotatable operating element and the movable switch elements.

Referring first to Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the particular switch shown includes a pair of movable switch elements land 2. vEach of these movable switch elements comprises an upper pair of trussed blades 3 clamped at their lower ends and a lower pair of blades 4 clam ed at their upper ends by means of. the hinge bolts 6 and suitable spring washers to the outwardly extending hingedjaws of the hinge terminals 5 of the switch as shown. 'lthe upper trussed blades 3 arespaced Within their length by Ameans of suitable channeled spacing pieces interposed therebetween.

The hinge terminals 5 are mounted thru angle brackets 17 upon the tops or' outer ends of the inclined insulators 7. The lower ends of the insulators 7 are mounteolu on inclined pedestals.-8, which inclined pe estals 8 are mounted upon mountin strips l The strips 9 span and are secure at their 4usual co-operating sprin opposite ends to a pair of longitudinal c annel irons 10 and 1l respectively.

Although immaterial in so far as the present invention is concerned', the switch in this particular instance is of the double lthrow type. The free ends of the upper trussed blades 3 co-operate with termmals 12 mounted thru angle brackets 17 upon the tops vor ends of the inclined insulators,14.

The free ends of the lower blades 4 of the switch co-operate with terminals 13 mount- -ed thru angle brackets 17 upon the tops or outer ends of the lower insulators 14. The upper and lower insulators 14 and 14 respcctively,'are mounted thru pedestalsy 15 upon the mounting pieces or strips 9. r1`he pairs of blades 3 and 4 are pressed firmly 'against the sides of the terminals12 and 13 respectively by means of bolts 19 and the washers.- Guide members 16 provided' adjacent each. side of each of the terminals 12 and 1 3 guide the switch blades over the ends of the terminals. The line wires are connected thru the usual socket members 18 to the contact terminals' 12 and 13 and to the hinge terminals 5 of the switch as shown in Figure 1.

The switch is operatedA thru a rotatable operating member designated as an entirety by reference `character 20., This rotatable operating element in this particular instance is vcomposed of two similar sections, although it might be made continuous or in more thantwo sections if so'desired.` That is a matter to be -determined by the vtype of vswitch and the particular v-conditions vin point. Each of the rotatable switch operatl ing sections comprises a pair of'insulators couplings 25.

21 and 22. Studs 23 and 24are cemented -or otherwise secured inthe opposed ends of the .insulators 21 and 22 respectively and project therefrom' as shown. The abutting ends of these projecting studs23 and 24 are threaded into' and securely connected together by means of' ordinary sleeve or pipe Pins 26 extending transversely thruthe coupling sleeves 25 andthe vstuds 23 and thru the coupling sleeves 25 and the studs 24 respectively,v prevent accidental displacement of the coupling sleeves' such as might otherwise occur due to the jar and rotary movement .to whichthe operating member. is subjected. l

The opposed ends of the insulators22 are providedwith'studs 35 cemented or otherwise secured therein. Sleeves 36, provided with axial projecting bearing pins or-studs 37 are threaded' or otherwise suitably mounted upon the projecting studs 35. The

axial projecting bearing pins 37 bear in the outer end of a bearing bracket 60 and are clamped in place by means of suitablebear-l ing caps 6l as shown.' Thebearing bracket 60 is mounted upon and 'extends-from a mounting strip 62 which mounting strip spansy the channel -irons 10 and 11 inter-g" mediate the mounting-strips 9. The sleeves1 36, which sleeves are maintainedv against accidental displacement byv means of trans- A 70 therewithare pr`o`l lower end with fanarm 44 fixed upon a shaft 45. The opposite ends of the shaft 45 are mounted in bearing brackets 46v and 47 re- 's'pectively,.. which bearing brackets are mounted upon and extend from the' longitudinal channel iron '11. LAt second arm 48 is lixed upon the shaft`45Yaldjacent the bearing bracket 46 and lis pivotally connected at itsfree end with the upper end of an operati-ng rod 49,. Thelower end of the operating rod 491 Iis so o onnected'with an-operating lever 50 pivotedon a pin 51`that upon rotationof the lever 50 therod l49 is moved either upwardly or downwardlyv to rotate the shaft 45. .This rotation of the shaftv45 istransmitted thru the arm 44, Arod 43 and arm '40 .to the rotatable switch operating element 120. I

The free ends of the insulators 21v of the switch operating element 20 are providedl i with studs27 cemented or otherwise secured therein. 'Sleeves 28 provided' with axial out'- wa-rdly projecting bearing pins or studs 29 are threaded or otherwise suitably mounted upon the projecting ends of the studs 27..

The sleeves 28 are maintained against accidental displacement by means of' transverse pins 30 extending thru the sleeve` and the 4stud 27 associated therewith. |The axially projecting lbearing pins Aon Studs 2,9 are mounted etween the outer ends ofthe bearing brackets 31 and' bearing caps 32 1 which bearing caps 32 are clamped tothe brackets` 31 by means of suitable set bolts 33' or the .llO

like. TheA bearing brackets 31 areprovided with base port-ions 34 as shown, which base portions lare secured with the hinge terminals. 5to the angle brackets 17. nthismanner the bearings at the opposite ends of i l the rotatable operating element 20 are entirely independent of the terminals of the switch so that these terminals will notl be subject to the strain' to which they would be 'subjected were these bearings formed in con nection with the terminals. j

The sleeves 28 are provided with arms 52 and 53 projecting substantially radially therefrom as shown. The free ends of the arms 52 are forked to provide a pair of projecti-ng prongs 54 betweenwhich prongs the upper trussed blades 3 are arranged. lSet bolts 55 threadedthrough the'vprongs 54 coterasse l @l operate with the forward andrear faces y means of a through the. blades and block or by provid-- `ing suitable respectively of a block 56 interposed between the blades 3. Obviously angular adjustment of the blades 3 between the prongs 54 can be readily accomplished by means of the Set bolts 55 in connection with which set bolts suitable lock-nuts are preferably provided. Where blocks 56 are employed in connection with the blades' as has been described, sufiicent clearance should be allowed between the inner faces of the blades-and these blocks as shown in Figure 3 so that the blades will be full floating relative the blocks. The blocks 56 may be maintained in place by pin arranged transversely depressions in the opposite faces of the blocks for the reception of the ends of the f set bolts 55. Obviously the blocks 56 could be readily dispensed with without departing from the present invention by providing the inner ends of the set i shoes.

stantially as has been describedl in connection with the arms 52.

To operate the-switch, assuming the blades to be in the posltion shown in Figure 2, the

` loperating lever 50 is revolved forwardly Acc about the axis of the 'pivot pin 51 whereupon the rod 49 is moved downwardly rotat.

ing the shaft 45 through ,thefarm '48. This rotationv of the shaft 45 is transmitted through arm 44, rod 43 and arms 40 to the rotatable switch operating. element 20, rotating this element in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 2). This counter clockwise rotation of the operating element 20 is transmitted through the radial arms 52 and 53 to the pairs of switch blades 3 and 4, forcing the blades Squickly and positively about the hinge -bolts 6 into open osition, and thereafter rotating the pairs ov blades 3 and 4 about the hinge bolts as desired. As here? inbefore pointed out, angular adjustment of the various switch elements may be readily accomplished through the set bolts 55 so that these 'switch elements will open and close simultaneously, or one slightlyin adf vance of the other as desired. s

It will now beapparent that l have provided for opening and closing two or more independent switch units through a single rotatable operating member, at the same time eectively isolating'the circuits through the various switch units from'ieach other and from the operator and these features, to-

gether vwith the provision of a switch capable of quick and positive operation, arehighly important aspects of my invention. In Figures 4 and 5 I have illustrated an alternative form of my invention. ln this instance' the upwardly and downwardly extending blades of each of the movable switch elements 1 and 2 are formed in one piece. Thev arm 52 extending from the sleeve. 28

instead of being forked at its outer end to provide a pair of'projecting prongsl is provided with a single projectingprong 70 ar ranged adjacent the rear edges of the upwardly extending .blades of vthe switch elementv 71, .as shown. Although each of the movable switch elements comprises in this instance four blades, this particular number of blades is immaterial. As in the form heretofore described the set bolts 72 carried by the projecting prongs70 of the arms 52 may either co-operate with the rear faces of suitable blocks interposed between the blades .or rmay be provided with suitable switch blade engaging shoes as desired. The

radial arms 53 are providedwith similar prongs 70 carrying lset bolts p724 for lco-operation ywith the downwardly extending portions of the blades 71. Y

The `operation of this switch is substantially as that set forth in connection with Figures 1 and 2( Assuming the blades to be in the position shown, the operating lever 75 is revolved forwardly about the axis of the pivot pin 76, whereupon the rod 77 .is moved downwardly, `rotating the bell cranklever 79 about its pivot 78. This'rotation of the bell crank lever 79 is transmitted through a rod 80 to the shaft 81 by means of an arm 82 fixed thereupon and then from the shaft 81 through a rod 83 to the rotatable switch loperating member 20. angular adjustment of the blades about the hinge bolts-6 may be readily had through the set bolts 72 and 72.

In Figures 6, 7 and 8 l have'illustrated another modification of my invention. ln

this case the switch unit or units, as the case may be, are arranged within a box the hinge and contact terminals 91 and 92 respectively of the switch being mounted upon insulators 93, which insulators are mounted upon and project from the forward face of the box 90.

The wires or conductors 94 are led through insulators 95 into the box 90 and are connected to the contact terminals 92 of the switch. The insulators 95 are arranged in suitable inlets provided in the inclined portion 96 of the box 90, which inclined por tion 96'is overhung by the front part of the box as shown. The conductors 97, which As before,

conductors are suitably connected to the 90. The box 490 is ,formed with an open rear wall or face, which open rear wallis provided with a suitable `closure plate 99, hinged at 100.

rie switch in this particular instance-is of the single throw type'v although this is,

of course, immaterial. Each o'the movable switch elements 101, 102 and 1.03 comprises a pair of blades clamped at their lower ends: by means of hinge bolts 104 to the outa jwardly extendin lhinge jaws of the hinge terminals 91. he switch.` is operated through 4a rotatable operating element, in-

cluding insulators 105, 106 and 107 4These 'insulators are coupled together' and the operating element .is interconnected with the various switch blades through*v links 108, the opplosite ends of which are flanged as shown for connection with the various insulators. ,Thelhin'ge terminals 91 of the switch are avoided by offsetting the links- 108 intermediate their length as shown'.

The oiiset portions of the links v108 arel 'provided with openings through which the blades-of the switch extend. The front and vrear walls of these open portions of the links Y 108 are connected through web-like portions 109 extending between each pair of blades.

y 'These web-like portions 109 are provided with downwardly extendinl arms 110 provided with hub portions s eeved upon the -hinge bolts 104 and thereby providing bearings for the rotatable operating-element at intervals throughout its length.

The inner ends of the set bolts 112, which set bolts are threaded through the front and rear walls respectively of the open portions of the links 108 co-operate either with strips' 114 or with' suitable blocks interposed between the blades of the switch.

Angular adjustment'of the blades can be' readily had through the set bolts 112. One end of the rotatable switch operating ele-4 ment extends through the end of the box 90 and is provided with a suitable operating lever'115 having a handle 116.

To operate the switch the handle l116 'is grasped and the operating lever 115 is revolved, rotating the switch operating element and forcing the blades of the switch operating member, a switch having a movable switch member mounted independently7 of said operating-member with its axis of 4 rotation in axial alignment with the axis of rotation of said operating member and of rotation vof said insulating Vbearing .brackets for the opposite Lamaze operated by rotation thereof-and'l an loperi ating lever for said rotatable j operatingj,

member, forming an .insulating barrier between .said movable switch member and said operating lever.

' 2. In' combinatiom'an insulating member adapted for rotation, a switch having a said -rotatable operating ,member movable switch member mounted independ- 4entlyof said insulating member with its axis of rotation in axial alignment with the axis member, ends of said insulating member, an operating arm extending from one end of -saidinsulating member for operating said movable switch member upon rotation of said insulatin@ member and an operatin with the opposite end o said? insulating member for rotating said member from a distance. v

3. .In combination, a rotatable insulating member, a'switch having a movable switch member mounted independently of said rotatable insulating member with its axis 'ofrotation in axial alignment with the axis of.

lever connecter rotation of saidinsu'lating member, a sleeve member encircling one end of said insulating member, said sleeve member having a bearg ing stud and an operating arm projecting from said sleeve-'member for operating said switch member upon rotation of the insulating member. v

41. In combination, a rotatable insulating member, a switch having a movable switch member mounted independently of said rotatable insulatin member with its axis of rotation in axial of rotation of said insulating member, and means carried byand rotatable with said rotatable insulating member for operating the movable switch member upon rotation of said insulating member. 5..'111 a switch, an insulator supporting a bearing member and a pivot terminal, a

. switch blade pivoted to said pivot terminal,

a contact terminal, a rotatable operating member for making and breaking contact between said switch bladeand said contact terminal,- one end of said rotatable operating member being supported by said bearing bracket anda bearing bracket for the oppo- .site end of said' rotatable operating member.

6. In combination, a switch having a movable switch member, a rotatable member for operating said movable switch member and means for adjusting. said 'movable switch member angularly relative to said rotatable operating-member.

71 Inf combination, a switch havinga mov- ,able switch member, an insulating member *adapted for rotation, a sleeve member encircling one Aend of said insulating member, v' said sleeve member having a bearing stud andan operating member for operating said alignment with the axis agresse switch member upon rotation of said insulating member, a sleeve member encircling the other end of said insulating member, said second sleeve member having a bearing stud and an arm through which said insulating member is rotated.

8. In a switch, a rotatable operating -member carrying a radially projecting arm, a pair of prongs projecting from said radial. arm, a movable switch member extending between said projecting prongs and means for adjusting said movable switch member between said prongs.

9. In combination, a switch having a pivoted switch member and a rotatable oper ating member carrying a radially projecting arm for swinging said pivoted switch mem# ber about its pivot upon rotation of said rotatable operating member.

10. In combination, a switch having a pivoted blade, a rotatable insulating member for o erating said blade, bearing brackets for t insulating member, an arm carried by said insulating member for operatingsaid blade upon rotation thereof, means for adjusting said pivoted blade angularly relative to said arm, and means for rotating said insulating member.

11. .In a switch, a pair of insulators,bear.

ing brackets and pivot terminals supported thereby, switch-bladesdpivoted`to,said pivot terminals, contact terminals for said`swith blades, a rotatable operating member supported in said bearing brackets and adapted for making and breaking contact between said switch blades and said contact termisaid rotatable operating member forming an insulating barrier between said switch blades. Y

12. In a switch, a rotatable operating member, switch blades pivoted independently of said member, said rotatable operat ing member insulating said switch blades from one another and means for rotating said operating member to operate said blades.

13. In a switch, -a rotatableA operating member, a handle for rotating said member, switch blades pivoted independently of said operating member, said operating member forming an insulating barrierbetween the P switch blades and insulating said Iblades trom the operating handle.

14. In combination, a vswitch having pivoted switch blades, an insulating operating connection between said pivoted switch blades and means for adjusting said switch bladesangularly relatively said insulating .operating member.

15. In combination, a pair of movable switch members, pivot terminals for said members, contact terminals for saidmembers, an insulating member adapted for' rotation, said insulating member comprising e opposite ends of said rotatable a pair of insulating sections, bearing and means between the opposite ends of Said insulating member and said movable switch .members for making and breaking) contact between-said movable switch mem rs and said contact terminals upon rotation ofsad insulating member. 16. In combination, switch members, an operating member extending between said vmovable switch members, pivot terminals mounting said members independently 'of .said o erating member, contact terminals forsai switch members,- an operating lever for the` switch operating member, said operating member forming an insulating barrier between the novable switch members and said operating ever. y

17. In combination, a pair of movable switch members, a rotatable insulating member, pivot terminals supporting the switch members independently of vsaid insulating member, Contact terminals for said switch members and arms on the opposite ends of the rotatable insulating member for swinging the movable switch member into and out of contact with said contact terminals upon rotation of said insulating member.

18. In combination, a pair of movable switch members, pivot terminals for said members, contact terminals for said members, `a rotatable insulatingy member comprising a pair of insulating sections, sleeve members encircling the adjacent ends of said sections, said sleeve members carrying bearing studs and operating arms throu h which the insulating member is rotate sleeve members encircling the other ends of said sections, said second sleeve members having bearing studsrand operating members for operating said switch members upon rotation of saidinsulating member.

In combination, a movable switch member, 4a -pivot terminal for said member, a contact terminal for said member, a pivot .pin passing through said switch member-and said pivotlvterminal, a rotatable operating member mounted upon said pivot in for rotation thereabout, whereby contact between said switch member and said contact terminal is made and broken.

A2O. In a switch, pivoted vswitch blades, pivot pins for said blades, a rotatable member for operating said blades, the blades being pivoted independently of the rotat- -able operating member, said member com prising rotatable. operating sections including insulating barriers between the blades.

21." In combination, a box, a switch blade in said box, a pivot pin supporting said switch blade, a rotatable switch operating element extending from said bon and proa pair4 of movable switch able operating element including an insulat ing barrier between said switch blade and 15 ,a movable switch member, a switch operating v said'handle andan operating section pivoted uponl said pivot pin.

22. In combination, a box, pivoted switch -bladesl in said box, a rotatable operating,

member including insulating barriers between the Various pivoted blades and operating sections for operating said'blades upon rotation of said rotatable and means 'for adjusting said blades angularly relative said `operating sections.

23. In an electrical switch, in combination,

operating member;

element, ay connection between said element and said member, and means for adjusting switch operating element, connection between said element and each of -said members, and means for adjusting each vof said connections to vary the relative positions of the element and the corresponding member.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribemy naineI this 3rd day of November. A. ,D. 1919.

i CHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN. 

